JP2002041566A - Communication system and host computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information providing system for distributing information suited to a user. SOLUTION: This system is provided with terminals connected to a communication network, a user database for storing the characteristics of the users of the respective terminals, a message database for storing a message to be transmitted to each of users, a message transmission condition database for storing the characteristics of the user to transmit the message, a message retrieving means for retrieving the message from the message transmission condition database while using the characteristics of the user read out of the user database, a means for reading the retrieved message out of the message database, a transmitting means for transmitting the read message to the terminal, a means for increasing a parameter corresponding to each of users when the transmitting message is displayed on the terminal, a detecting means for detecting whether the user is active or not, and a stop means for stopping increasing the parameter when the user is not active.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a communication system and a host computer for retrieving a message suitable for a user from a communication network such as the Internet and providing the message to the user.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A user of a communication service such as the Internet can communicate with various host computers on the Internet via a host computer (called an information providing device) provided by a provider. On a terminal connected to the Internet, an image such as a homepage specified based on a user operation is read and displayed.

In such communication services such as the Internet, many virtual shops have been formed in recent years, and users can purchase goods or services by mail-order sales via the Internet. Products such as programs and data can also be purchased via the Internet. These goods or services can be paid for by sending the credit card number and expiration date on the Internet.

In addition, in recent years, advertisements for goods or services sold on the communication network and advertisements for goods or services sold by ordinary stores independently of the communication network have often appeared on communication services in recent years. Provided. For example, landscape advertisements are embedded in the homepage of Yahoo (trademark), which is a search engine for homepages on the Internet.

Further, in order to efficiently sell goods or services using the above-mentioned advertisement and payment system, a counting system for counting the number of times a user accesses a homepage of a virtual store or the like which sells goods or services. Is used. By using this system, an advertisement provider can estimate to a certain extent which homepage has a high advertisement effect based on the number of counts.

[0006]

However, in the conventional counting system, when displaying an advertisement on a terminal device, it is not known whether or not the user is looking at the terminal device. Cannot be counted correctly. In particular, when an advertisement such as a moving image is displayed for a relatively long period of time, the possibility that the user does not view the advertisement from the middle increases.

[0007] Further, as the types of information provided by communication services such as the Internet have increased, it has become more difficult for users to find information suitable for themselves or advertisements for products and services of interest. In addition, since users who use services such as the Internet are diversifying, it is becoming difficult for information providers to deliver information to users who are suitable for the information.

[0008] Also, since many people can access the communication service, if a credit card number and expiration date are transmitted to pay for a product or service, such information is misused by a third party. There is a risk that. In particular, since information transmitted on the Internet is recorded on many servers (host computers), it is dangerous to transmit information on credit cards, which hinders the sale of goods or services using communication services. . Although a system for encrypting and transmitting information about a credit card has been developed, the security is limited because the encryption may be broken.

[0009] Further, when an advertisement is embedded in a homepage on the Internet as in the prior art, the advertisement cannot be provided to the user unless the user accesses a predetermined homepage. Also, when the user scrolls the homepage in the window, the advertisement disappears from the window. Further, when another window is opened above the Internet browser window or when the browser window is moved off the screen, the advertisement cannot be provided to the user.

When the number of accesses to the home page is counted by the conventional method, the number of times increases even if the same user repeatedly accesses the home page, for example, in order to make the number of accesses to the home page large. For this reason, it is not possible to correctly count the number of times a user accesses the homepage and the advertising effect. In addition, since it is not known which users are accessing the homepage or advertisement, if a conventional counting system is used, which users are targeted for selling goods or services. Can not determine whether to market.

[0011] In particular, for example, consumers who are interested in the product "ski" are more likely to be interested in the product "ski wear" and the service "ski tour". As described above, there is often an association between a plurality of types of goods or services such that “there is a high ratio of having the same customer”. However, according to the conventional system for counting the number of homepage accesses, it is not possible to find a consumer who is interested in the above-mentioned "related" goods or services, and to appropriately provide such goods or services to such consumers. I can't market.

Further, conventionally, in order to use a communication service such as the Internet, it has been necessary to pay a connection fee or a usage fee to an Internet provider having a host computer of a connection destination. For this reason, the user cannot keep accessing the communication service for a long time, and this has been an obstacle for providing advertisements using the communication service, selling goods, and spreading payment.

An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system capable of solving all of the above problems.

[0014]

In order to achieve such an object, a communication system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes any of an image, a sentence, a voice, and a combination thereof to be transmitted to a terminal. A message database for storing messages is provided, and a message read from the message database is transmitted to a terminal and displayed. When a parameter corresponding to the amount of access by the user to the message is stored for each user, and the message is displayed on the terminal, the parameter corresponding to the user of the terminal is increased. However, if the user is not in an active state in which the message can be recognized, the parameter increase is stopped.
According to the present embodiment, the above parameter is increased only in an active state in which the user can recognize the message, so that the rate at which the user has recognized the message can be counted more accurately.

A communication system according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes a user database storing characteristics of each user of a terminal, characteristics of a user to whom a message is to be transmitted, and message identification information for identifying each message. And a message transmission condition database that stores the message transmission conditions in association with each other. When the user requests a message, the characteristics of the user are read from the user database using the user identification information for identifying the user, and the message identification information is read from the message transmission condition database using the read characteristics of the user. Search for. Also, the message retrieved by the message retrieval means is read from the message database and transmitted to the terminal. According to the present embodiment, since a message having a search condition that matches the characteristics of the user is searched, the user can effectively obtain an advertisement for a product or service of interest. In addition, the provider of the advertising message can effectively provide the message to users who are likely to purchase the product or service.

A communication system according to a third aspect of the present invention has means for selling goods or services to a user via a communication network. The price of the product or service is determined according to the size of the parameter, and when the product or service is sold to the user, the value of the parameter associated with the user is reduced. According to the present embodiment, since the price of a product or service is determined by the size of a parameter according to the amount of access to a message, for example, a user with a large parameter value can be charged a small price. . This allows the user to actively access the message.

A communication system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention determines whether a user is active based on whether a terminal has been operated within a predetermined time. Therefore, for example, when the user is away from the terminal device, it is possible to prevent the parameter from being increased.

A communication system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention displays an operation unit for operating a message when displaying a message, and determines whether the user is active based on whether the operation unit has been operated. I do. Therefore, even when a plurality of windows are opened in the terminal, the parameter can be increased only when the user is looking at the window displaying the message.

In a communication system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention,
It is determined that the user is active based on the user's input corresponding to the text in the message. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from performing an appropriate operation without reading the display in the window displaying the message to increase the parameter.

In a communication system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention,
The increase of the parameter is stopped by stopping the display of the message on the display. Therefore, when the user cannot recognize the message, it is possible to prevent a useless message from being transmitted to the terminal.

In a communication system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention,
A first message that increases a parameter when the message database is displayed on the display, and a second message that does not increase the parameter even when displayed on the display, and the first message when the user is not active. By stopping the display of the message on the display, the parameter increase is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to continue transmitting the message while preventing the parameter from being increased.

A communication system according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention further comprises means for connecting to the Internet having a host computer. The terminal forms a first data link with the host computer via the communication network and the Internet, forms a second data link with the message transmission condition database via the communication network, and forms the second data link. The data is transmitted to the message transmission condition database using the link. According to the present embodiment, two independent data links are formed, so that even when a user accesses an arbitrary homepage with the first data link, the terminal sends a message to be transmitted to the user as a message. A request can be made to the transmission condition database, and further information for identifying the message can be received.

In the communication system according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, when a terminal requests access to a host computer connected to the Internet, an identification signal for identifying the transmitting means is transmitted to the terminal. The terminal forms a data link with the transmitting means using the identification signal, and further forms the second data link. Therefore, the terminal can reliably and quickly recognize the transmitting means using the identification signal.

In the communication system according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the parameter is increased on the condition that the user has appropriately responded to the question in the message displayed on the display. Therefore, it is possible to urge the user to answer the question.

A communication system according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention comprises:
Update information that is updated independently of the terminal is stored, and this update information is transmitted a predetermined number of times to each of the terminals via a communication network. Conventional Internet providers have no means for actively transmitting information to users on Internet browsers. However, according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably display information having a high importance to be conveyed to a user on a terminal a predetermined number of times, for example, when it is necessary to update communication software.

In the communication system according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, it is determined whether or not the update information has been transmitted to the user, and if not, the update information is transmitted. Therefore, the update information can be transmitted to all the users one by one.

In the communication system according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the number of times that update information has been transmitted to each user is counted, and the update information has not been transmitted a predetermined number of times when communication with the terminal is established. Send update information in case. Therefore, the update information can be displayed as soon as communication with the terminal is started.

In the communication system according to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, new update information is transmitted when the elapsed time from the transmission of the update information is longer than a predetermined time. Therefore, for example, by setting the last update time of the update information as the predetermined time, the update information can be transmitted to all users one by one.

In a communication system according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, images, texts,
A message database for storing messages containing either voice or a combination thereof, means for displaying messages sent to the terminal on the terminal, connected to a communication network for storing characteristics of each user of the terminal The system includes a user database and a message transmission condition database which is connected to a communication network and stores a characteristic of a user who should transmit a message and message identification information for identifying each message in association with each other. When a user requests a message, the characteristics of the user are read from the user database using the user identification information for identifying the user, and the message transmission condition database is read using the read characteristics of the user. Search for message identification information. The retrieved message is read from the message database and transmitted to the terminal. According to the present embodiment, a message retrieved based on the characteristics of the user is transmitted to the user, so that the user can obtain an advertisement for a product or service strongly related to the user.

A communication system according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention comprises:
When a user accesses a message,
The user identification information of the user and the contents of the access are stored in association with the message identification information for identifying the message. For this reason, it is possible to determine for each user what access has been made to each message. In the conventional method, the number of accesses or the content cannot be determined for each user. Further, in this embodiment, the user characteristic is searched from the user database using the recorded user identification information, and the searched user characteristic and access content are associated with the message identification information of the message. And store. For this reason, the message provider can determine the characteristics of the user who is interested in each message, such as gender and age group.

A communication system according to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention comprises:
User identification information for identifying a user who has accessed the message is stored in association with message identification information for identifying the message. Further, the message transmission condition database stores the message identification information of the target message in association with the message identification information of another message, and the message search means stores the user identification information associated with the other associated message. A message in which the information includes the user identification information of the user who requested the message is searched. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the target message can be transmitted only to the user who has accessed the message associated with the target message in advance. For example, by associating the advertisement message of the product “ski wear” with the advertisement message of the product “ski”, the advertisement message of the product “ski wear” is provided only to users who have accessed the advertisement message of the product “ski”. I can do it.

[0032]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 1.1 Configuration 1.1.1 Overall Configuration of System FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a communication system according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, one or a plurality of terminals 10 are connected to a plurality of information providing apparatuses 20 via modems 16 and 18, a public network (communication network) 17, and a public network gateway 19. Information providing device 2
0 is managed by a so-called Internet provider, and is connected to a plurality of host computers 30 via the Internet 32. The information providing device 20
It is connected to a payment system 35 via a dedicated line 29.

In the payment system 35, the message distributing device 39 is connected to a closed network 27 such as CAFIS (trademark) (a credit network, a host computer of a credit card company and a communication network for connecting a user terminal of the host computer). It is connected to a computer 28 of a credit card company via the Internet. The message distribution device 39 is connected to a plurality of information providing devices 20 via a dedicated line.
And transmits to the terminal 10 via the information providing device 20 information about the product such as an advertisement (referred to as a message) provided from a store that sells the product on the communication network. The message may be a still image, a moving image, sound, or a combination thereof. Each message contains data indicating the address of the home page of the store on the World Wide Web (WWW). The message management device 24 of the information providing device 20 stores the message received from the message distribution device 39 in the message database 26 in association with the identification number such as the message URL of the message.

The home page of each dealer (and its lower pages) is stored in the host computer 30. The terminal 10 can receive information such as a homepage from the Internet 32 via the Internet gateway 22 of the information providing device 20. The user places an order for a product by accessing the dealer's homepage and lower-level pages. The terminal 10 can receive a message from the message management device 24. The message management device 24 transmits the message read from the message database 26 to the terminal 10 based on the request from the terminal 10. The user can access the Internet gateway 2 via the public line gateway 19.
2 has an ID (provider user ID) and a password for connecting to the server, and an ID (message user ID) and a password for obtaining a message from the message management device 24.

1.1.2 Configuration of Main Body 14 FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the main body 14 of the terminal 10 shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the CPU 4
0 operates based on the programs stored in the ROM 42 and the RAM 44. The timer 46 counts a predetermined time. Data is input from the user via the input device 48. The hard disk drive 50 as an example of a storage device stores data such as images, information on a user, and a program for operating the CPU 40.

The calendar IC 51 is backed up by a battery and provides the current date and time to the CPU 40. The floppy disk drive 52 reads data or a program from the floppy disk 56 and
Provide to U40. The CD-ROM drive 54 is a CD-ROM drive.
Read data or program from ROM 58
Provide to U40. Further, the main body 14 includes an interface for connecting to the modem 16 and the display 12.

1.1.3 Software Configuration of Terminal 10 FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of software executed by the CPU 40 shown in FIG. These software are stored on floppy disk 56 or CD-ROM.
58 and is provided to the user. The software stored on the recording medium may be compressed or uncompressed. The software is installed on the hard disk drive 50 from the recording medium,
4 and executed by the CPU 40.

The software stored and provided on the recording medium, that is, the software installed in the hard disk drive 50 includes a communication module 73 having a PPP driver 70 and a TCP / IP driver 72 as functional components, a browser 74, a message Viewer 7
6 is provided. The PPP driver 70 creates a data link on a physically single line with the public line gateway 19 (FIG. 1). The browser 74 communicates with the Internet gateway 22 via the TCP / IP driver 72 on the data link generated by the PPP driver 70, and displays the received image on the display 12. As the browser 74, for example, Netscape (trademark) or Mosaic (trademark) can be used.

The message viewer 76 communicates with the message management device 24 via the TCP / IP driver 72 on the data link generated by the PPP driver 70, and displays the received image on the display 12. The message viewer 76 has a message management device 2 as a functional configuration.
4, an input processing module 82 for processing an input from a user, and an event processing module 84 for processing an event generated by a request from an internal or communication line.

1.1.4 Screen Configuration of Terminal 10 FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display 12 shown in FIG. On the display 12, a window (browser window) 60 of a browser 74 and a window (message viewer window) 62 of a message viewer 76 are opened. Information received from the Internet 32 is displayed in the browser window 60, and a message received from the message management device 24 is displayed in the message viewer window 62.
The message viewer window 62 displays a new message for a predetermined period, for example, every minute.

The message viewer window 62 has a home page button 64, a material request button 66, a suspend / resume button 68, and an end button 69. When the homepage button 64 is pressed, a homepage corresponding to the message displayed in the message viewer window 62 is displayed in the browser window 60. When the material request button 66 is pressed, various merchandise materials related to the message displayed in the message viewer window 62 are transmitted from the message management device 24 and displayed on the message viewer window 62. The message or the document is provided with a button for ordering the displayed product.

1.1.5 Configuration of Connection Management Device 23, Message Management Device 24, and Host Computer 30 FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the connection management device 23, message management device 24, and host computer 30 shown in FIG. FIG. In FIG.
90 operates based on programs stored in the ROM 92 and the RAM 94. The timer 96 counts a predetermined time. The communication interface 98 processes input / output with a communication line. Data is input from the user via the input device 100. Database interface 10
Reference numeral 2 connects to various databases including a hard disk and the like. Floppy disk drive 10
4 reads data or a program from the floppy disk 106 and provides it to the CPU 90. Calendar I
C provides the date and time to the CPU 90. Display 108
Displays the communication status and the like to the operator.

1.1.6 Configuration of Message Distribution Device 39 FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the message distribution device 39 shown in FIG. Parts corresponding to the configuration in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 5, and thus description thereof will be omitted. The message distribution device 39 includes a message user database 34 that stores information on a message user of each terminal 10;
It has a message transmission condition database 36 for storing transmission conditions of each message, and a connection log 38 for storing communication history. Also, instead of the communication interface 98,
A communication interface for connecting to the closed network 27 and a communication interface for connecting to the information providing apparatus 20 may be provided.

1.1.7 Message User Database 3
Configuration of 4 FIGS. 7 and 8 show the configuration of the message user database 34 shown in FIG. The message user database 34 includes a user ID (message user ID) and a password (message user password) of a user who uses each message, a provider ID for identifying one information providing apparatus 20, and a user using a provider. User ID used to access the Internet
(Provider user ID), message display time, date of birth 312, gender 314, marriage history 316, job type 3
18 and information about the user such as an address 320 (referred to as user information).

In FIG. 8, the message user database 34 further has a credit card number used by the user, an expiration date, a name, and a last communication date and time. Each user has a message viewer window 62
A parameter corresponding to the display amount of the message inside is given. The message database 34 stores parameters 332, 334, and 336 for the last two months, the last month, and this month.

The user can use, for example, the message viewer 76
When the user is first used or when the message viewer 76 is installed in the terminal 10, the user information is
To enter. The terminal 10 stores the input user information in the hard disk drive 50 and transmits the user information to the message management device 24. The message management device 24 transmits the user information received from the user to the message distribution device 39. The message distribution device 39 stores the user information in the message user database 34. Age, occupation, income, hobbies, and the like may be stored as user information.

1.1.8 Configuration of Message Transmission Condition Database 36 FIGS. 9 and 10 show the configuration of the message transmission condition database 36. Message transmission condition database 3
Reference numeral 6 stores a message URL for identifying each message and a condition for transmitting the message in association with each other. The conditions for sending the message are: display frequency restriction for each user, display frequency restriction for all users, time to display the message, age range, gender, marriage history, occupation of the user to display the message , Address, and IDs of other messages strongly related to the message.

In FIG. 10, each time a message is displayed in the message viewer window 62 of the user, the provider of the message is charged. Therefore, a charging limit 210 for each message is provided for each information providing apparatus 20. The limit 210 stores a charge limit for providing a message to a user of the information providing apparatus 20. In addition, the total limit 220 stores the limit of the total value of charging for the provision of the message to the user of the all information providing apparatus 20.

The limit 210 is applied to each message when a message is displayed to a user of the information providing apparatus 20, and is imposed on each message when a button in each message is pressed. Button unit price 2
14. Period type 216 that determines a predetermined period, period type 2
16 has a charge limit (period limit 217) in each period and a total charge limit (total limit 218) for the display of the information providing apparatus 20 to the user.

The message distribution device 39 reads user information from the message user database 34 in response to a request from the terminal 10 and searches for a message from the message transmission condition database 36 using the user information. Then, the URL of the retrieved message is transmitted to the terminal 10. Therefore, a message URL of a message suitable for the user (for example, an advertisement of a product related to the user) can be transmitted to each terminal 10.

FIG. 11 shows a configuration example of the connection log 38.
The connection log records, for each provider user ID, a provider ID, an event such as logon or accounting stop, and the date and time when the event occurred. Since the message is displayed on the terminal 10 while the charging is stopped,
The value of the message can be charged to the message provider. Thus, the provider's cost for the user's connection can be paid from the owner of the message distribution device 39 to the provider. Therefore, the provider user
You can access the Internet for free in exchange for seeing the message. For example, the example of FIG. 11 indicates that the charging of the provider user XXX has been stopped after Login. Message distribution device 39
Can determine the time during which charging has been stopped from the connection log 38, and can pay the provider a fee corresponding to that time.

FIG. 12 shows the structure of the message access log 37. The message access log 37 records a log of a user's access to each message. The message distribution device 39 stores the message user ID of the user who displayed the message, the ID of the displayed message, the date and time when the message was accessed, and the type of access. When the access content is a message display, the access type is "1".
However, if the access content is a display of a home page linked from the message, "2" is stored as the access type, and if the access content is a material request, "3" is stored as the access type. The message distribution device 39, based on the message access log 37,
The value of the message displayed on the message viewer window 62 can be charged to the message provider.

1.2 Connection Operation 1.2.1 Connection Sequence A connection sequence of the terminal 10, the connection management device 23, the message management device 24, the message distribution device 39, the Internet gateway 22, and the Internet 32 will be described with reference to FIG. When the communication module 73 of the terminal 10 makes a PPP connection request (S102), the connection management device 23 inquires whether the received provider user ID and provider user password are registered in the provider user database 25 (S10).
4).

If the ID and the password are registered, the connection management device 23 transmits a PPP connection permission to the terminal 10 (S106). Further, the provider user ID is notified to the message management device 24 (S108). When the PPP connection is permitted, the browser 74 of the terminal 10 makes a TCP / IP connection to the Internet gateway 22 (S1).
10), communicate with the Internet 32 via the Internet gateway 22 (S112). The connection module 80 of the message viewer 76 makes a TCP / IP connection with the message management device 24 (S114). Then, the message management device 24 requests authentication information from the message viewer 76 of the terminal 10 (S118).

Upon receiving the authentication information request, the connection module of the message viewer 76 uses the message user ID and the password as the authentication information as the message management device 2.
4 (S120). Message management device 24
Is the provider user ID received from the connection management device
And the message user ID and the message user password received from the message viewer 76, and the provider ID of the information providing apparatus 20.
9 (S121). Then, the message distribution device 39 determines whether the received message user ID and message user password are registered in the message user DB 34 (S122). If these are registered, the connection permission is transmitted to the message viewer 76 (S124).

Since the data links are set between the browser 74 and the Internet 32 and between the message viewer 76 and the message management device 24, they can communicate independently. Since the communication method between the browser 74 and the Internet 32 is well known, the description is omitted. The message viewer 76 periodically requests the message URL from the message distribution device 39 using the timer 46 (S134). When the message distribution device 39 receives the retrieved message URL, it requests the message of the message URL from the message management device 24 (S136).

The message management device 24 retrieves the message of the received message URL from the message database 26 and sends it to the message viewer 76 (S136). As this message, for example, an advertisement for a product can be transmitted. The user can order the advertised product. Although communication between the Internet 32 and the browser 74 is inexpensive, it is not reliable because it is communicated via many computers within the Internet. On the other hand, the communication between the message management device 24 and the message distribution device 39 uses a dedicated line, so that the reliability is high.

1.2.2 Connection Operation of Terminal 10 FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of terminal 10 in the connection sequence shown in FIG. This processing is performed by the connection module 80 of the message viewer 76. The connection module 80 first activates the communication module 73 (S210). Then, the communication module 73 makes a PPP connection with the connection management device 23 via the public line gateway 19 using the provider user ID and the provider user password. After confirming the PPP connection (S212)
The connection module 80 starts the browser 74 (S21).
4). Then, the browser 74 makes a TCP / IP connection with the Internet gateway 22. Next, connection module 8
0 uses the TCP / IP port number unique to the message viewer 76 to communicate with the message management device 24 and the TCP / IP.
Connection is made (S216).

The browser 74 and the Internet gateway 22, and the message viewer 76 and the message management device 24 can communicate with each other independently by logically independent calls using different TCP / IP port numbers. Therefore, the message viewer 76 can display the message without impairing the functions of the existing browser. Thereafter, when authentication is requested from the message management device 24 (S218), a message user ID and a message user password are transmitted as authentication information (S220).

When connection is permitted from the message management device 24 (S222). The message viewer 76 transmits a simple information request (S224). The simple information request is a signal requesting the terminal 10 to transmit a message early. Each message is stored in the message database 26 in association with message identification information such as a URL for identifying the message. Upon receiving the simple information request, the message management device 24 sends the URL of the appropriate message to the message database 26.
And sends it to the terminal 10. The terminal 10 has a URL
Is received (S226), and the image specified by the URL is again requested to the message management device 24 (S22).
8). The received image is stored in an image buffer provided in the RAM 44 of the terminal 10.

The simple information request is not transmitted to the message distribution device 39, but is transmitted only to the message management device 24. That is, for the simple information request, a message corresponding to the user data stored in the message user database 34 is not searched. For this reason, the time until the first message is displayed can be reduced, and the time when nothing is displayed in the message viewer window 62 can be reduced. However, as another embodiment, a simple information request may be transmitted to the message distribution device 39, and the message distribution device 39 may select an appropriate message. Further, the message distribution device 39 may search for a message based on a part of the user data when there is a simple data request. By simplifying the message search conditions, the message can be quickly searched. Next, the connection module 78 starts the timer 46 (S230). The timer 46 indicates the timing for displaying a new message. Thereafter, the connection module activates the input processing module 82 to process the input from the user and the public network 17.

1.2.3 Connection Operation of Connection Management Apparatus 23 FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the connection management apparatus 23 in the connection sequence shown in FIG. When a PPP connection is requested from the terminal 10 via the public line gateway 19 (S310), the connection management device 23 requests the terminal 10 for a provider user ID and a password and receives them (S312). Next, an inquiry is made to the provider user database 25 as to whether the received provider user ID and password are recorded (S314).

The provider user database 25 stores the ID (provider user ID) and password (provider user password) of each provider user. The received provider user ID and provider user password are stored in the provider user database 25.
If not registered, the connection management device 23 disconnects the line (S318) and terminates the process (S330). If the provider user ID and the password are registered in the provider user database 25, the terminal 10
P connection is permitted (S322), and the message management device 2
4 (S324), and terminates the process (S330).

1.2.4 Connection Operation of Message Management Device 24 FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the message management device 24 in the connection sequence shown in FIG. Upon receiving the connection notification from the connection management device 23 (S810), the message management device 24 records the received provider user ID in the RAM 94 (S812). Next, the timer 96 is started (S814), and it is determined whether or not a TCP / IP connection has been made from the message management device 24 (S816). If the TCP / IP connection is not established, the process stands by (S816, S818). Timer 96 while waiting
When timeout occurs (S818), the process ends (S820).

When the TCP / IP connection is established (S816),
Request authentication information from the message viewer 76 (S82)
2). Further, the timer 96 is reset and counting is started again (S824). Timer 9 before receiving authentication information
6 times out (S828), the process ends (S830). When receiving the authentication information (S82)
6) Read the provider user ID from the RAM 94 (S832), and transmit it to the message distribution device 39 together with the provider ID for identifying the provider, the message user ID received from the message viewer 76, and the message user password (S834). . Thereafter, communication is performed between the message viewer 76 and the message distribution device 39 (S836).

1.2.5 Connection Operation of Message Distribution Device 39 FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the message distribution device 39 in the connection sequence shown in FIG. The message distribution device 39 includes the message management device 2
When the message user ID and the message user password are received from No. 4 (S410), an inquiry is made to the message user database 34 as to whether or not they are recorded (S412). If not registered, an inquiry is made to the message viewer 76 as to whether or not to register as a new user (S414). If registered, user information is received from the message viewer 76 and stored in the message user database 34 (S416). ). Further, the message user ID and the message user password are given to the user (S418).

When not registering as a new user (S4
14), request authentication information such as a message user password from the message viewer 76 again (S420), wait until the authentication information is received (S422), and return to S412. If the message user ID and the message user password can be authenticated (S412), a connection permission is notified (S424). Next, the provider ID received from the message management device 24 is read (S428). The message user ID and the provider ID are provided independently. Therefore, even if a single message user contracts with multiple providers, the provider ID
Thus, the information providing apparatus 20 of the provider currently used by the user can be identified. The connection management device 23
An amount corresponding to the information providing device 20 indicated by the provider ID is charged for the message.

1.3 Operation After Connection 1.3.1 Operation of Terminal 10 After Connection FIG. 18 shows input processing of the terminal 10 after the connection sequence. This processing is performed by the input processing module 82 of the message viewer 76. First, if the material request button in the message viewer window 62 or the message is pressed (S512), the timer 46 is cleared (S51).
4). Thus, it is possible to prevent the message from being changed during the operation of the user. Next, the address of the user is displayed on the message viewer window 62 to prompt confirmation of the address (S516). When the confirmation is obtained (S518), the message distribution device 39 is requested to mail the material to the user's address (S520).

If the material request button has not been pressed in S512, it is determined whether or not the homepage key has been pressed (S522). If the homepage key has been pressed, the timer 46 is cleared (S524), and the URL of the homepage is passed to the browser 74 (S526). That is, the U stored in the message in association with the homepage key
The RL is passed to the browser 74. Also, the message distribution device 39 is notified that the homepage key has been pressed.

If the homepage key has not been pressed in S522, an inquiry is made to the operating system as to whether the user is active (S53).
2). Here, the operating system determines that the user is not active if there is no operation by the user for a predetermined time or more. If there is an operation from the user within a predetermined time, it is determined that the user is active. However, as another embodiment, when an operation such as scrolling is performed on a message within a predetermined time, it may be determined that the user is active. Alternatively, it may be determined that the user is active based on whether a response to the display in the message has been made within a predetermined time.

The RAM 44 is provided with an active flag indicating whether or not the user was active at the time of the previous determination. When the user is active (S532) and the active flag is NO (0) (S53)
4) The state of the user has changed from inactive to active. Then, a recovery event is notified to the message distribution device 39 (S536), and the active flag is changed to YES (S538).

If the user is active (S532) and the active flag is YES (1) (S53)
4) The state of the user remains active and does not change. Therefore, the recovery event (S536) is not notified. S
If the user is active in 532, terminal event processing is performed regardless of the state of the active flag (S54).
0).

If the user is not active (S5
32) It is detected whether or not the state of the user has changed (S5).
42) If the status has changed from the active state, the message distribution device 39 is notified of the pause event (S54).
4) Change the active flag to NO (S54)
6). If the state of the user has not changed, the active flag is not changed. If the user is not active (S532), the terminal event processing (S540)
Do not do.

1.3.2 Event Processing of Terminal 10 FIG. 19 shows the details of the event processing (S540) of the terminal 10. This processing is performed by the event processing module 84 of the message viewer 76. First, if there is a vacancy equal to or more than a predetermined number in the queue (S554), a URL is requested, and a vacant URL is
Is reduced (S556). When the URL is received (S
558) The URL is stored in the queue (S560). If there is a free space in the message buffer (S562), the message management device 24 uses the URL stored at the head of the queue 84.
, And decrements the number of empty message buffers by one (S564). When a message is received (S5
66) The received message is stored in the message buffer (S588).

When the timer 46 counts up (S5)
70), the earliest received message in the message buffer is displayed (S574). Next, the URL of the displayed message and data indicating that the message is displayed are notified to the message distribution device 39 (S578), and the timer 46 is reset (S580). Thereafter, the process returns to the process of FIG. 18 to process the input (S590). If the user is not active, the terminal event processing (S540) is not performed.

For this reason, if the user is not active, no URL is requested to the message distribution device 39. If the user is not active, no message is requested from the message management device 24. Furthermore,
If the user is not active, the received URL and message are not stored in the memory. Even if a message has already been received, no message is displayed. Therefore, when the user is not active, the message display report is not transmitted to the message distribution device 39.

1.3.3 Message Distribution Device 39 after Connection
FIG. 20 shows the message distribution device 39 after the connection sequence.
6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment. UR from terminal 10
When the L request is received (S710), the message distribution device 39 sets the provider ID of the user who transmitted the URL.
And the provider user ID is read from the connection log 38 (S712). Next, using the provider ID and the provider user ID, the message user database 34 is used.
And retrieves user information of the user (S714).

Next, a message URL is searched from the message transmission condition database 36 using the user information (S716). Therefore, for each user, a message suitable for the characteristics of the user indicated by the user information is searched. If another message is specified in the "related message" field of the message transmission condition database 36, the provider of the user who has read the home page associated with the message or the user who has requested materials for the message The user ID is read from a message user file described later. And S
The message is searched on condition that the provider user ID read in 712 is registered in the message user file. Therefore, the message can be effectively transmitted only to the user who has responded to the associated message. Further, from the retrieved messages, the charging amount for the information providing apparatus 20 during the current period does not exceed the period limit 217, and
Are searched for messages whose total charge amount does not exceed the total limit 218, and whose total charge amount has not exceeded the total limit 220 through all the information providing devices 20 (S).
718).

If the search for the message URL is successful (S720), the URL of the message is transmitted to the terminal 10 (S724). If the search does not hit (S72
0), a message URL with a parameter of 0 is selected from the message data transmission condition database 36 (S72).
2) The selected message URL is transmitted to the terminal 10 (S724). Upon receiving the message display report from the terminal 10 (S730), the message distribution device 39 searches for the message using the message URL in the message display report, and charges the message unit price 212 for the message (S724). Further, the number of parameters of the message is read, and the parameter 336 of the user of this month is read.
(S736).

When the material is requested from the message viewer 76 (S740), the message provider is notified that the material should be sent (S742). Further, the button unit price 214 of the message is read from the message transmission condition database 36, and the message is charged (S744).

When the home page is requested from the message viewer 76 (S750), the button unit price of the message is set to 2 from the message transmission condition database 36.
14 is read and the message is charged (S75).
2). That is, when the user operates a button in the message to request a material or opens the homepage, the message provider is charged. Note that the button unit price corresponding to the material request button and the homepage button may be provided in the message transmission condition database 36, respectively, and the message may be charged an amount corresponding to the type of the pressed button.

1.4 Parameters 332, 334, 336
FIG. 21 shows parameters 332 and 33 given to the user.
4 and 336 are shown below. The user can use the browser 74
Host computer 3 on the Internet 32 using
The product is ordered at 0 (S150). The goods include image data, document data, and audio data delivered online via the Internet, as well as goods mailed offline. Further, a subscription right to a magazine or the like may be purchased as a product. The host computer 30 returns an order response to the order request from the user (S150) (S152).

The order response (S152) requests the message viewer 76 as a helper application, and transmits the order response to the message viewer 76 (S15).
4). The message viewer 76 is the message management device 2
4 sends an order response. Then, the message management device 2
No. 4 requests the message distribution device 39 to pay for the ordered goods (S158). The message distribution device 39 checks the remaining parameters of the user using the user ID (S
160).

If there are enough remaining parameters to pay for the product, the message distribution device 39 sends a payment response to the message management device 24 (S162). Then, the message management device 24 notifies the host computer 30 of the order data (S164). The host computer 30 stores the order data in the RAM 94 and performs the product transmission or mailing process (S166). Next, the host computer 30 transmits a purchase notice to the message management device 24 (S168).

The message management device 24 compares the data in the order response received in step S156 with the data of the ordered product and S1.
It is determined whether or not the amount received at 68 and the data of the ordered product are the same (S169). If they are the same, it is determined that the product has been properly ordered, and a purchase notice is transmitted to the message distribution device 39 (S170). Then, the message distribution device 39 reduces the number of parameters required to pay for the product in the order of the last two months, the last month, and the current month (S170). Further, the payment is recorded in the log (S172).

If the data does not match in S169, the message management device 24 determines that there is an error in the order response (S156), and sends it to the message viewer 76 for the amount received in S168 and the ordered product. Upon receiving the confirmation of the amount and the ordered product from the message viewer 76, a purchase notice is transmitted to the message distribution device 39 (S170). If the confirmation cannot be received from the message viewer 76, the host computer 30 is notified that the order should be canceled.

Upon receiving a product purchase notification from the message management device 24 (S170), the message management device 24
Records the contents and amount of the ordered product in the user log and performs the payment process (S172). Next, the message management device 24 is notified that the recording in the log has been completed (S174). The message management device 24 notifies the message viewer 76 that the purchase of the product has been recorded in the log (S176). Then the message viewer 76
To the RAM 44 and the hard disk drive 50,
Record the goods purchased.

Thereafter, when the user inquires of the already purchased products, the message viewer 76 reads out the list of already purchased products from the hard disk drive 50 and displays it on the display 12. When a product provided online is designated in the displayed list, it is determined whether or not the product is already stored in the hard disk drive 50. The product is a hard disk drive 50
If the product is stored, the product is read and output. If the merchandise is not stored in the hard disk drive 50, the merchandise is downloaded from the host computer 30 via the browser 74, stored in the hard disk drive 50, and output to the display 12 or the like.

The host computer 30 transmits the product when the download of the product for which the purchase has been notified in S166 is requested. As a result, data such as images, sounds, sentences, and the like are transmitted to the message viewer 76. According to this embodiment, the user has sufficient parameters 332, 334,
In the case of having the 336, a product on the host computer 30 can be purchased. The parameters are stored by displaying the message on the message viewer 76 or pressing a button in the message. By displaying the message on the message viewer 76 or pressing the button in the message, the user can use the host computer. You can buy over 30 products.

If the parameters of the user are not enough to purchase the product, the message distribution device 39 notifies the message viewer 76 that the shortfall will be withdrawn by credit card. If approval is obtained from the message viewer 76, the message distribution device 39 reads the credit card number and the expiration date of the user from the message user database 34. Further, by notifying those data to the credit card company 28 via the closed network 27, the shortage fee is deducted from the credit card company 28. Even if the charge is deducted by credit card, the data of the credit card number and expiration date will be transmitted only within the closed network, so the data will be more secure compared to transmitting data over the Internet Can be.

Further, the information providing device 20 may request the usage fee of the information providing device 20 by the user from the message distribution device 39. The message distribution device 39 subtracts the usage fee of the information providing device 20 from the number of parameters of each user. If the number of parameters is not sufficient, the shortage is withdrawn from the credit card company 28 via the closed network 27. The parameters are stored when the user displays a message on the message viewer 76 or operates a button in the message, so that the information providing apparatus 20 can be accessed free of charge. That is, the user can access the Internet 32 for free by displaying the message viewer 76.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the user is not active, the message is displayed in the message viewer 7.
6, the message provider can be prevented from being charged even though the user is not actually looking at the display.

1.5 Processing of Message Access Log 37 FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing statistical processing of the message access log 37 performed by the message distribution device 39. The message distribution device 39 is, for example, once a month, etc.
The operation of this flowchart is executed periodically. First, one message is selected (S610), and the first log of the message access log 37 is selected (S620). S6
If the message ID of the log selected in S20 is different from the message ID of the message selected in S610 (S63)
0) Since it is not a log of access to the message, the process returns to S620 and selects the next log.

FIG. 23 shows a message user file indicating the user who has accessed the message. One message user file is created for one message, and the number of times each user has displayed the message is linked from the message in association with the message user ID of the user who used the message. The number of times the home page is displayed and the number of times a material is requested for the message are stored. Message distribution device 39
Means that the message ID of the log selected in S620 is S61
If the message ID is the same as the message ID of the message selected in step S0 (S630), it is determined whether the message user ID described in the log selected in step S620 is already registered in the message user file (S640).

If the message user ID has not been registered, the record of the message user is added, and the number of times of displaying the message image, the number of times of displaying the home page, and the number of times of requesting the material are set to 0 (S650).
Further, the value of each field in the message user file is incremented depending on whether the log type is message display, homepage display, or material request (S660). When S620 to S660 are repeated until all logs are checked (S670), the obtained message user file is output to a file (S675).

FIG. 24 is a statistics file showing statistics of access to each message by a user. This file is also created for each message, and the classification of each item indicated by the user characteristics of the message user database, for example, for men, the number of times the message was displayed, and the home page linked from the message was displayed It stores the number of times, the number of times the message was displayed, the number of users who displayed the home page, and the number of users who requested materials.

When the message distribution device 39 outputs the message user file as a file (S675), the message display count field and the value of the homepage display count are totaled, and the total display count and the total number of homepage jumps are respectively calculated. calculate. In addition, the number of users is counted and set as the number of display users, and the number of users whose homepage display count is 0 is subtracted from the number of display users to obtain the number of homepage display users. Further, the number of users who do not have the number of requesting materials is counted as 0 and the number of requesting materials is determined. Similarly, the message distribution device 39 retrieves the characteristics of each user from the message user database using the message user ID, and displays the number of display times, the number of display times of the home page, the number of display times, The number of display persons and the number of requesting materials are counted to create a statistical file table (S680), and output to a file (S690).
Steps S610 to S695 are performed for all messages (S695), and the process ends. Therefore, the response state of the message user to each message can be grasped for each characteristic of the user.

Second Embodiment The configuration of the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment. The operation is similar to that of the first embodiment. Therefore, only operations different from those in the first embodiment will be described.

2.1 Operation of Terminal 10 After Connection FIG. 25 shows input processing of the terminal 10 in the present embodiment. The processing from S512 to S528 is the same as in the first embodiment. However, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that event processing of the terminal is performed regardless of whether the user is active (S522, S540).

2.2 Event Processing of Terminal 10 FIG. 26 shows details of the event processing (S540) of the terminal 10. Processing from S544 to S570, S578,
And S580 are the same as in the first embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, when the timer 46 counts up (S570), it is determined whether or not the user is active (S574). If the user is not active, a message whose parameter is 0 is searched from the message database. Is displayed (S576). If the user is active, the messages are displayed in order from the previous message, as in the first embodiment (S574).

According to the present embodiment, the message is displayed even when the user is not active, but since the displayed message has no parameters, it is necessary to prevent the parameters from being added to the user database. Can be. Therefore, when the user is not looking at the screen, it is possible to prevent the message provider from being charged for displaying the message.

Third Embodiment The system configuration of this embodiment is the same as the system configuration of the first embodiment. The connection operation of the entire system is similar to that of the first embodiment. However, the terminal 10, the connection management device 23,
The connection sequence between the message management devices 24 is different from that of the first embodiment. Therefore, only the differences in the connection sequence will be described below.

FIG. 27 shows a connection sequence in this embodiment. The processing from S102 to S112 is the same as in the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the connection management device 23
Allows the PPP connection, the message viewer 76
The connection module 80 searches for the message management device 24 to be TCP / IP-connected by a predetermined method. For example, an IP address and a port number corresponding to the information providing apparatus 20 and the message management apparatus 24 which may be connected are sequentially searched.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the user requests the connection management device 23 to access the Internet 32, the connection management device 23 informs that a data link has been formed with the terminal 10. Message management device 24
Notify. In response to the notification of the provider user ID from the connection management device 23 (S108), the message management device 24 notifies its own IP address and port number to the connection module 80 of the message viewer 76 (S108).
113). With these IP addresses and port numbers, the connection module 80 allows the information providing device 20 to be connected to.
And its message management device 24 can be specified immediately. Then, using the IP address and the port number, the connection module 80 makes a TCP / IP connection to the message management device 24 (S114). The IP address specifies the information providing apparatus 20 to be connected from among the plurality of information providing apparatuses 20. The port number is the information providing device 20
One message management device 24 is specified from among a plurality of communication targets in the list.

According to the present embodiment, since the IP address and the port number are given from the message management device 24, the connection module 80 can quickly and accurately connect to the desired message management device 24. Further, since the message viewer 76 can connect to the message management device 24 and perform subsequent actions independently of the browser 74, the browser 74 may be an existing general-purpose browser (Netscape (trademark), mosaic (trademark) )
Etc.) can be used as is.

Fourth Embodiment The system configuration of the present embodiment is the same as the system configuration of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. In the connection sequence of the present embodiment, the IP address and the port number are notified from the message management device 24 to the connection module 80 as in the third embodiment. Further, this embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the update information is notified from the message distribution device 34 to the message viewer 76 and the update information is displayed. Hereinafter, the operation related to the display of the update information will be described in detail.

FIG. 28 shows a connection sequence according to the present embodiment. As shown in S113, the message management device 2
4 informs the connection module 80 of the IP address and port number. The operation is the same as that of the first embodiment up to S124. In the present embodiment, after transmitting the connection permission S124, the message distribution device 34 determines whether to notify the update information (S126). If it is determined that notification is required, the update information is sent to the message viewer 76.
(S128).

FIG. 29 shows an example of the update information. The update information corresponds to the start of the provision of a new service, for example, news such as an increase in the number of products that can be purchased, and availability of useful software through communication between the message viewer 76 and the message management device 24. These pieces of update information are updated irregularly by a message provider, a provider of a message distribution device, or an Internet provider, and stored in the message distribution device 39. It is determined whether the message distribution device 39 notifies update information (S1).
26) The condition to be satisfied is, for example, a case where there is update information that has never been notified to the user. To specifically determine whether this condition is met,
The last communication date and time of the message user DB 34 is compared with the date and time when the update information was updated. If the last communication date and time is before the date and time when the update information was updated, it is determined that there is update information that has not yet been notified, and the update information is notified.

FIG. 30 shows the details of the message distribution device update determination (S126). First, the message distribution device 39 reads the last communication date and time from the message user DB 34 (S910). Next, it is determined whether the last communication date and time is within 2 hours from the current date and time (920). Specifically, the last communication date and time is compared with the date and time of (current date and time minus 2 hours). If the last communication date and time is before the date and time of (current date and time-2 hours), the process of S930 is executed. On the other hand, if the last communication date and time is within two hours from the current date and time, the processing is ended to avoid frequently displaying the update information (S970).

If the user frequently repeats the connection between the message viewer 76 and the message management device 24 and stops the connection, when the update information is displayed each time the connection is made, the user can update the update information. It may be considered that the display is unnecessary. Therefore, when the connection is re-established within a predetermined time from the latest communication date and time, the update information is not displayed. This can prevent the display of the update information from being repeated frequently.

In S930, the date and time when the latest update information was updated is compared with the last communication date and time. If the date and time when the update information was updated is after the last communication date and time, the update information updated after the last communication date and time is selected (S940).
The selected update information is transmitted from the message distribution device 39 to the message viewer 76 (S950). Along with the transmission of the update information, the last communication date and time in the message user DB 34 is also updated to the current date and time (S960), and thereafter, the present process ends (S970).

As a modification of this embodiment, the user may be notified of the update information a predetermined number of times (for example, three times). In this case, the communication date and time are stored by the same number as the predetermined number from the latest one. Then, the update date and time of the update information is compared with the oldest communication date and time among the predetermined number of final communication dates and times. Then, all update information updated after the oldest communication time is notified to the user. In this case, the message viewer 76 and the message management device 24
Is not connected, the date and time when the connection was released is not stored as the last communication date and time. This can prevent the update information from being repeatedly displayed at least within the predetermined time.

Fifth Embodiment The system configuration of the present embodiment is the same as the system configuration of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Also, in the connection sequence of the present embodiment, the message management device 24 notifies the connection module 80 of the port number to be IP-addressed, similarly to the fourth embodiment. Further, the update information is notified from the message distribution device 34 to the message viewer 76, and the update information is displayed. The present embodiment is characterized in that, when a notification that an upgraded message viewer module is available is given as update information, a process of obtaining the message viewer module is featured.

FIG. 31 shows a part of the connection sequence of the present embodiment. The processing up to S128 is basically the same as that of the fourth embodiment.
Is the same as However, in the present embodiment, the upgraded message viewer 76 is transmitted to the terminal 10. Therefore, when transmitting the authentication information in S120, the message viewer 76 version of the terminal 10 and the OS type of the terminal 10 are transmitted in addition to the message user ID and the password.

FIG. 32 shows the remaining part of the connection sequence of this embodiment. When the update information on the upgraded message viewer 76 is notified (S12)
8) Update information is displayed on the terminal 10.

FIG. 33 shows an example of update information in the present embodiment. The update information displays a button for inputting whether to download software. The user transmits to the message distribution device 39 as an update response that he or she does or does not want to obtain the message viewer 76 (S130). Message distribution device 3
No. 9 determines whether to download software according to the update response (S131: update process). If it is determined that the software is to be downloaded, the software is transmitted to the connection module 80 of the message viewer 76 (S132: download). The user can obtain software for upgrading the message viewer 76 by the above-described processing.
In this case, the message viewer 76 is switched (S1
33), upgraded message viewer 76
This controls communication, image display, and the like. The user
Other software can also be obtained through communication between the message viewer 76 and the message distribution device 39. When the software is transmitted from the message distribution device 39, the software is stored in the hard disk drive 50 of the terminal 10.

FIG. 34 shows an update judgment (S126) and an update process (S131) executed by the message distribution device 39.
The flowchart of FIG. First, it is determined whether the version of the received message viewer module is the latest version (S1010). If it is the latest version, this process ends (S1070). On the other hand, if the received version is not the latest version, the update information on the message viewer module of the latest version is selected (S1020) and transmitted (S103).
0). It is determined whether there is a download request in response to the transmission of the update information (S1040). If there is no download request, the process ends (S1070). On the other hand, if there is a download request,
Based on the S type, the latest version of the message viewer module that matches the OS type is selected (S10).
50). The selected message viewer module is transmitted to the terminal 10 (S1060). Through such processing, the user can easily obtain desired software.

In the fourth and fifth embodiments, whether the message distribution device 39 notifies the update information is determined.
This determination may be made by the message management device 24. In this case, the message management device 24 refers to the latest communication date and time, the update date and time, etc. received from the message distribution device 39, and determines whether to notify update information. If the message management device 24 controls the notification of the update information, the load on the message distribution device 39 can be reduced.

Sixth Embodiment FIG. 35 shows the configuration of the entire system in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the message database 26 is connected to the message distribution device 39 instead of the message management device 24 as compared with the above embodiment. Accordingly, a message request from the message viewer 76 is transmitted to the message distribution device 39 via the message management device 24. The message management device 24 simply performs connection between the message distribution device 39 and the message viewer 76 and communication therebetween.

According to the present embodiment, there is no need to provide the message database 26 in the plurality of information providing apparatuses 20, and the configuration of the message management apparatus can be simplified. Therefore, the entire system can be configured at low cost. Further, since only a single message database 26 is provided, the message database 26 can be easily maintained. In particular, even when the message distribution device 39 and the information providing device 20 are installed in physically separated places such as different countries, the maintenance of the message database 26 is performed only in the place where the message distribution device 39 is installed. Can be. For this reason, maintenance costs can be reduced.

On the other hand, according to the configuration of the above embodiment, the load on the message distribution device 39 and the dedicated line 29 can be reduced. Therefore, when the access frequency to the message database 26 is high, the configuration of the first or second embodiment can operate more efficiently.

Seventh Embodiment FIG. 36 shows the configuration of the entire system in this embodiment. Compared with the configuration described in the third embodiment, in the present embodiment, the message distribution device 39 is connected to the information providing device 20 via the Internet 32 instead of the dedicated line 29. In this embodiment, the message management device 24 does not exist. Accordingly, a message request from the message viewer 76 is transmitted to the message distribution device 39 via the message management device 24.

According to the present embodiment, since the message management device 24 is not required in the plurality of information providing devices 20, the entire system can be configured at low cost. In addition, since an existing Internet providing device can be used as the information providing device 20, the system can be quickly spread. In particular, even if the message distribution device is provided only in a limited country, the service can be provided to countries in the world where the Internet providing device exists.

On the other hand, according to the configuration of the first or second embodiment, the load on the message distribution device 39 and the dedicated line 29 can be reduced. Therefore, when the access frequency to the message database 26 is high,
The configuration of the first or second embodiment can operate more efficiently.

Eighth Embodiment FIG. 37 shows the overall configuration of a system according to this embodiment. In the present embodiment, as the information providing device 20, instead of a connection device of the Internet 32, B such as Compuserve (trademark), Niftyserve (trademark), and AOL (trademark)
A BS is provided. The information providing device 20 requests the message distribution device 39 for the amount of BBS used by each user. The message distribution device 39 determines whether the parameters of the user are sufficient to pay the usage fee,
If it is sufficient, the information providing device 20 is paid for the usage amount. When the parameters are insufficient, the insufficiency is withdrawn by a credit card via the closed network 27.

According to this embodiment, the message can be displayed by the message viewer 76, so that the user can access the BBS free of charge.

Ninth Embodiment In the above embodiment, the user's parameters are increased on condition that the message is displayed, and the message is charged. However, as another form, the parameter may be increased on condition that the user performs an operation on the display in the message, and the message may be charged. In this case, it is possible to prevent the parameter from being increased when the user has not seen the message at all, and to be prevented from being charged for the message even though the user has not seen the message at all.

As still another embodiment, the parameters may be increased on condition that the user's operation on the display in the message is appropriate, and the message may be charged. For example, a question that can be answered correctly based on the content displayed in the message is displayed in another area of the message, and the points of the user are increased on condition that the answer to the question is correct. May be. In this case, the points of the user can be increased only when the user has read the message, and the message can be charged.

Whether the response from the user is appropriate may be determined by the message viewer 76 or the message distribution device 39. If it is determined by the message viewer 76, the traffic on the communication network can be reduced. Further, the load on the message distribution device 39 can be reduced. In contrast, the message distribution device 3
If the determination is made in step 9, the load on the message viewer 76 is reduced. Further, it is possible to easily change the determination sequence of whether or not the user's response is appropriate only by updating the software of the single message distribution device 39.

Tenth Embodiment The point increasing method of the above embodiment may be combined with the point increasing method of the ninth embodiment. For example, when a message is displayed, a first predetermined point is added, a second predetermined point is added on condition that a button in the message is pressed, and the user's response to the message is appropriate. The third point may be added on condition that the information is obtained. In this case, an amount corresponding to the point value is charged to the message provider. As a result, the message can be appropriately charged for the message in accordance with the expected value recognized by the user.

Eleventh Embodiment In the above embodiment, the payment system 35 paid for the product using a credit card. However, the "payment system" includes all systems that have a function of paying the merchandise dealer. For example, a system for transferring the price from the user's bank account to the dealer or a system for temporarily lowering the price from the user's bank account to the bank account for the payment system and further transferring the price to the product dealer may be used. .

In the above embodiment, the browser 74 displays homepage information of the Internet 32 and the like. However, the browser 74 may provide an Internet telephone or an Internet videophone that performs voice communication via the Internet.

In the above embodiment, the message user database 34, the message transmission condition database 3
6 and the connection log 38 are shown in the figures of the independent disk devices, but they may be stored in the same disk device. Further, the mutual relationship between the data of each field can be realized by various file configurations. For example, the message user database 34, the message transmission condition database 36, and the connection log 38 may be configured in different areas in the same file.

The floppy (registered trademark) disk 56 or the CD-ROM 58 as an example of the recording medium can store some or all of the functions of the operation of the terminal 10 described in the present application. Further, when a part of the operation of the information providing apparatus 20, the host computer 30, or the payment system 35 described in the above embodiment is to be executed by the terminal device 10 instead of those apparatuses, the information provision described in the above embodiment may be performed. Part of the operation of the device 20, the host computer 30, or the payment system 35 is also performed by the floppy disk 5
6 or the CD-ROM 58. The floppy disk 106 can store some or all of the functions of the information providing device 20, the host computer 30, or other devices of the payment system 35 described in the above embodiment.

[0135] These programs are directly stored in the storage medium.
The program may be read out to the AM and executed, or may be read out to the RAM and executed once after being installed in the hard disk drive. Further, the program may be stored on a single recording medium or a plurality of recording media. Further, the information may be stored in an encoded form.

As recording media, a floppy disk,
In addition to CD-ROM, optical recording media such as DVD, MD
, A magneto-optical recording medium such as a PD, a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, and a semiconductor memory such as an IC card or a miniature card. Alternatively, the information providing device 20, the message distribution device 39, or a storage device such as a hard disk or a RAM provided in the host computer 30 may be used as a recording medium, and the program may be provided to the terminal 10 via a communication network. Such a recording medium is used only for manufacturing the terminal 10, the message management device 28, or the message distribution device 39, and the manufacture and sale of such a recording medium as a business are described in the present application. It is clear that this constitutes infringement of a patent right.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention according to the present application is not limited to the above embodiments. The invention described in the claims can be implemented by adding various changes to the above embodiment. For example, the information providing device 20 described in the above embodiment,
The terminal 10 executes a part of the functions of the message distribution device 30 or the host computer, and
0, the load on the message distribution device 30 or the host computer may be reduced. On the other hand, a part of the functions of the terminal 10 described in the above embodiment may be executed by the information providing device 20, the message distribution device 30, or the host computer to reduce the load on the terminal 10. It is also clear from the description of the claims that such an invention belongs to the technical scope of the invention according to the present application.

It is apparent that the following system, apparatus, and recording medium have been provided according to the present invention.

[0139] 1. A communication network, a terminal connected to the communication network, and a message database that is further connected to the communication network and stores a message including any of an image, a text, a voice, or a combination thereof, to be transmitted to the terminal; Transmitting means for transmitting the message read from the message database to the terminal, display means for displaying the message transmitted to the terminal on the terminal, and the amount of access to the message transmitted to the terminal. Means for storing corresponding parameters for each user; increasing means for increasing the parameter associated with the user of the terminal when the message is displayed on the terminal by the display means; Detecting means for detecting whether the person is in an active state capable of recognizing the message, Communication system is characterized in that a stopping means for serial user stops the increase of the parameter by the increasing means when not in an active state.

2. A user database connected to the communication network and storing characteristics of each user of the terminal;
A message transmission condition database which is connected to the communication network and stores the characteristics of a user who should transmit the message and message identification information for identifying each message in association with each other, and when the user requests the message, A characteristic reading unit that reads out the characteristics of the user from the user database by using user identification information that identifies the user, and the characteristics of the user that are read from the user database by the characteristic reading unit. And a message search unit for searching the message identification information from the message transmission condition database, wherein the transmission unit reads out the message searched by the message search unit from the message database and transmits the message to the terminal. Communication system according to item 1, Beam.

3. Means for selling goods or services to the user via the communication network, means for determining the price of the goods or services according to the size of the parameter, and providing the goods or services to the user. Means for reducing the value of the parameter associated with the user when sold, the communication system according to item 1, further comprising:

[0142] 4. 2. The communication system according to item 1, wherein the detection unit determines whether the user is active based on whether the terminal is operated within a predetermined time.

5. At the time of the message display, further comprising means for displaying an operation unit for operating the message,
2. The communication system according to item 1, wherein the detection unit determines whether the user is active based on whether the operation unit is operated.

6. 2. The communication system according to item 1, wherein the detection unit determines that the user is active based on whether the user has performed an input corresponding to a text in the message.

7. The communication system according to item 1, wherein the stopping unit stops increasing the parameter by stopping displaying the message on the display.

8. The message database includes a first message that increases the parameter when displayed on the display, and a second message that does not increase the parameter when displayed on the display. The communication system according to item 1, wherein the increase of the parameter is stopped by stopping the display of the first message on the display when the user is not active.

9. Means for connecting to the Internet having a host computer, wherein the terminal forms a first data link to the host computer via the communication network and the Internet; and Means for forming a second data link to the message transmission condition database, and means for transmitting data to the message transmission condition database using the second data link. 2. The communication system according to item 1.

10. When the terminal requests access to the host computer connected to the Internet, the transmitting means includes signal means for transmitting an identification signal identifying the transmitting means to the terminal, and the terminal includes the identification signal. 10. The communication system according to item 9, wherein a data link is formed with the transmission unit by using the data link, and the second data link is formed.

11. The communication system according to item 1, wherein the increasing unit increases the parameter, further on condition that the user appropriately responds to a question in the message displayed on the display. .

12. Update information storage means connected to the communication network for storing update information updated independently of the terminal, and transmitting each of the update information to each of the terminals a predetermined number of times via the communication network The communication system according to item 1, further comprising an update information transmitting unit.

13. The predetermined number of times is one, and the update information transmitting means has a determination means for determining whether the update information has already been transmitted to the user. If the update information has not been transmitted yet, If judged,
13. The communication system according to item 12, wherein the update information is transmitted.

14. The update information transmitting means has means for counting the number of times the update information has been transmitted to each of the users, and when the communication with the terminal is connected, the update information is transmitted the predetermined number of times. 13. The communication system according to item 12, wherein the update information is transmitted when the update is not performed.

15. The update information transmitting unit further includes a comparing unit that compares an elapsed time from the transmission of the update information with a predetermined time, and transmits new update information when the elapsed time is longer than the predetermined time. 15. The communication system according to item 14, wherein the communication system includes:

16. A communication network, a terminal connected to the communication network, a plurality of messages connected to the communication network and including any one of an image, a text, a voice, or a combination thereof to be transmitted to the terminal; and the plurality of messages. A message database that stores message identification information that identifies each of the message databases, a transmitting unit that reads the message from the message database and transmits the message to the terminal, and the message transmitted to the terminal by the transmitting unit. Display means for displaying on a terminal, a user database connected to the communication network and storing the characteristics of each user of the terminal and user identification information for identifying the user in association with each other; Receiving means for receiving the user identification information of the user of the terminal from the terminal via the terminal, Using the received user identification information, the characteristic reading means for reading the characteristic of the user from the user database, and displaying the characteristic read by the characteristic reading means on the terminal by the display means. And a statistic recording means for storing the message in association with the message identification information for identifying the message.

17. When the user accesses the message transmitted to the terminal by the transmission unit, the statistics recording unit identifies the content of the access and the message transmitted to the terminal by the transmission unit. 17. The communication system according to item 16, further comprising means for storing the message identification information in association with the message identification information.

18. When the user accesses the message transmitted to the terminal by the transmitting unit, the statistical recording unit stores the content of the access in association with the characteristic read by the characteristic reading unit. 17. The communication system according to item 16, further comprising means for performing:

19. A communication network, a terminal connected to the communication network, a plurality of messages connected to the communication network and including any one of an image, a text, a voice, or a combination thereof to be transmitted to the terminal; and the plurality of messages. A message database that stores message identification information that identifies each user, and associates the characteristics of each user of the terminal with the user identification information that identifies the user, connected to the communication network. A user database that is connected to the communication network, stores a message transmission condition database that stores the characteristics of the user who should transmit the message and the message identification information in association with each other, Means for receiving the user identification information of the user of the terminal from the terminal, and using the user identification information, Characteristic reading means for reading the message identification information from the message transmission condition database using the characteristic read from the user database by the characteristic reading means; and Transmitting means for reading the message associated with the message identification information retrieved by the retrieval means from the message database and transmitting the message to the terminal, and displaying the message transmitted to the terminal by the transmission means on the terminal; A communication system comprising: a display unit.

20. When the user accesses the message transmitted to the terminal by the transmitting means, the user identification information for identifying the user who accessed the message, and the message identification information of the message. Further comprising user identification information storage means for storing the message identification information in association with each other, wherein the message transmission condition database stores the message identification information for identifying each message in association with the message identification information of another message. Wherein the message search means requests the message in the user identification information associated with the other message associated with the related message storage means by the user identification information storage means. Contains the user identification information of the user Communication system according to claim 19, characterized in that retrieving the message as a condition.

21. A host computer connected to a communication network, wherein the image, text,
Voice, or a message transmission condition database storing message identification information for identifying each of the messages having any of these combinations, and transmission means for transmitting the message identification information read from the message transmission condition database to the terminal. Means for storing, for each user, a parameter corresponding to the amount of access to the message transmitted to the terminal, and when the message transmitted by the transmitting means is displayed on the terminal, the terminal Means for increasing the value of the parameter associated with the user, detecting means for detecting whether or not the user is in an active state capable of recognizing the message, and wherein the user is not in an active state. And stopping means for stopping the increase of the parameter in the case. Host computer to the butterflies.

22. The message transmission condition database stores characteristics of the user who should transmit the message in association with the message identification information of the message, and stores characteristics of each user of the terminal connected to the communication network. And a message search unit for searching the message transmission condition database for the message identification information using the characteristic of the user read from the user database, wherein the transmission unit includes: 22. The host computer according to item 21, wherein the message identification information retrieved by the message retrieval means is transmitted to the terminal.

23. Means for selling goods or services to the user via the communication network, means for determining the price of the goods or services according to the size of the parameter, and providing the goods or services to the user. 22. The host computer according to item 21, further comprising: means for reducing the value of the parameter associated with the user when the host computer sells.

24. 22. The host computer according to item 21, wherein the stopping unit determines that the user is active when the message is operated.

25. 22. The host computer according to item 21, wherein the stopping unit determines that the user is active when the user performs an input corresponding to a text in the message.

26. Item 2 is characterized in that the stopping means stops increasing the parameter by stopping displaying the message on the display.
2. The host computer according to 1.

27. The message database is
A first message that increases the parameter when displayed on the display; and a second message that does not increase the parameter when displayed on the display. 22. The host computer according to item 21, wherein the increase of the parameter is stopped by stopping the transmission of the first message to the terminal when the terminal is not active.

28. Update information storage means connected to the communication network for storing update information updated independently of the terminal, and transmitting each of the update information to each of the terminals a predetermined number of times via the communication network 22. The host computer according to item 21, further comprising an update information transmitting unit.

29. 29. The host computer according to item 28, wherein the predetermined number of times is one, and the update information transmitting unit transmits the update information to the user to whom the update information has not yet been transmitted. .

30. A host computer connected to a terminal via a communication network, wherein the host computer is connected to the communication network,
A plurality of messages including any of images, sentences, sounds, or a combination thereof to be transmitted to the terminal, and a message database storing message identification information for identifying each of the plurality of messages in association with each other; Transmitting means for reading out the message database from the message database and transmitting the readout message to the terminal, connected to the communication network, and storing the characteristics of each user of the terminal and the user identification information for identifying the user in association with each other. User database, receiving means for receiving the user identification information of the user of the terminal from the terminal via the communication network, and using the user identification information received by the receiving means, Characteristic reading means for reading the characteristic of the user from the user database, and transmitting the characteristic to the terminal by the transmitting means. And a statistic recording unit for storing the characteristic read by the characteristic reading unit in association with the message identification information of the message transmitted to the terminal when the terminal accesses the message. A host computer, comprising:

31. When the user accesses the message transmitted to the terminal by the transmission unit, the statistics recording unit identifies the content of the access and the message transmitted to the terminal by the transmission unit. 31. The host computer according to item 30, further comprising means for storing the message identification information in association with the message identification information.

32. When the user accesses the message transmitted to the terminal by the transmitting unit, the statistical recording unit stores the content of the access in association with the characteristic read by the characteristic reading unit. Item 30. The host computer according to Item 30, further comprising:

33. A host computer connected to a terminal via a communication network, wherein the host computer is connected to the communication network,
A message database that stores a plurality of messages including any of images, texts, sounds, or a combination thereof, and message identification information for identifying each of the plurality of messages to be transmitted to the terminal; A user database that is connected to a network and stores the characteristics of each user of the terminal in association with user identification information for identifying the user; and a message that is connected to the communication network and transmits the message. A message transmission condition database that stores the characteristics of the user and the message identification information in association with each other, and a unit that receives the user identification information of the user of the terminal from the terminal via the communication network; A characteristic reading unit that reads the characteristic of the user from the user database using the user identification information; Using the characteristic read from the user database by the output unit, a message search unit that searches for the message identification information from the message transmission condition database, and a message search unit that is associated with the message identification information searched by the message search unit. Transmitting means for reading out the message from the message database and transmitting the message to the terminal.

34. When the user accesses the message transmitted to the terminal by the transmitting means, the user identification information for identifying the user who accessed the message, and the message identification information of the message. Further comprising user identification information storage means for storing the message identification information in association with each other, wherein the message transmission condition database stores the message identification information for identifying each message in association with the message identification information of another message. Wherein the message search means requests the message in the user identification information associated with the other message associated with the related message storage means by the user identification information storage means. Contains the user identification information of the user The host computer according to claim 33, characterized in that retrieving the message as a condition.

34. A communication network, a terminal connected to the communication network, and a message database that is further connected to the communication network and stores a message including any of an image, a text, a voice, or a combination thereof, to be transmitted to the terminal; Transmitting means for transmitting the message read from the message database to the terminal, display means for displaying the message transmitted to the terminal on the terminal, and displaying the message on the terminal by the display means And updating means for updating parameters associated with the user of the terminal.

35. 35. The communication system according to item 34, wherein the parameter is a parameter corresponding to an access amount, and the updating unit increases the parameter when the message is displayed on the terminal by the display unit.

36. Item 35 further comprising means for storing the parameters for each of the users.
A communication system according to claim 1.

37. A host computer connected to a communication network, wherein the image, text,
Voice, or a message transmission condition database storing message identification information for identifying each of the messages having any of these combinations, and transmission means for transmitting the message identification information read from the message transmission condition database to the terminal. And a means for updating a value of a parameter associated with a user of the terminal when the message transmitted by the transmitting means is displayed on the terminal.

38. The parameter is a parameter corresponding to an access amount, and the updating unit increases the parameter when the message transmitted by the transmitting unit is displayed on the terminal. Host computer.

39. Item 37 further comprising means for storing the parameter for each user.
A host computer according to claim 1.

40. A terminal device connected to a communication network, comprising: a unit for receiving a message including any one of an image, a text, a voice, and a combination thereof from a communication network; a display unit for displaying the message; and a parameter related to the message. Means for storing, when the message is displayed on the terminal by the display means,
Updating means for updating the parameter; detecting means for detecting whether the user of the terminal is in an active state capable of recognizing the message; and updating means when the user is not in an active state. A terminal device for stopping the updating of the parameter.

41. 41. The terminal device according to item 40, wherein the parameter is a parameter according to an access amount, and the updating unit increases the parameter when the message is displayed on the terminal by the display unit.

[0181]

According to the present invention, the parameters assigned to the user increase according to the display of the message and the operation of the message. If this parameter is large enough, the message distributor pays for the goods purchased by the user or for the Internet or BBS communication by the user. Therefore, the user can use the Internet or BB for free by displaying the message.
The user can access a communication network such as S or purchase a product for free from the communication network.

The information provider can provide services such as the Internet or BBS free of charge, so that many users can be recruited. Further, the message provider can provide the message to a user suitable for each message. Also, it is possible to provide the user only with a message related to the user. Further, according to the present invention, the update information can be reliably provided from the system provider to the user of the terminal 10.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an entire communication system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a terminal 10.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a functional configuration of software executed by a CPU 40 of a main body 14.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display on a display 12;

FIG. 5 shows a connection management device 23 and a message management device 2
4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a host computer 30. FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a hardware configuration of the message distribution device 39.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a message user database 34.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a message user database 34.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a message transmission condition database 36.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a message transmission condition database 36.

11 is an explanatory diagram of a connection log 38. FIG.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a message access log 37.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection sequence of the terminal 10, the Internet 32, and the message distribution device 39.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a connection process by the connection module 78 of the terminal 10.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a connection process of the connection management device 23.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a connection process of the message management device 24.

17 is a flowchart showing a connection process of the message distribution device 39. FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an input process of the terminal 10 after the connection sequence.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an event process of the terminal 10 after the connection sequence.

FIG. 20: Message distribution device 3 after connection sequence
9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram showing a purchase sequence of a product using parameters assigned to a user.

FIG. 22 is a log file of access to a message.

FIG. 23 is a message user file indicating a user who has accessed the message R;

FIG. 24 is a statistics file showing statistics of access to messages.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating input processing of the terminal 10 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating event processing of the terminal 10 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection sequence in the third embodiment.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection sequence in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of update information displayed on a display 12 according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating details of the update determination of the message distribution device.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection sequence in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection sequence in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of update information displayed on the display 12 according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart of an update determination and update process executed by the message distribution device 39.

FIG. 35 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an entire system according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an entire system according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an entire system according to an eighth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Terminal 14 Main body 16, 18 Modem 17 Public network (communication network) 19 Public network gateway 20 Information providing device 22 Internet gateway 24 Message management device 26 Message database 27 Closed network 28 Computer 29 Dedicated line 30 Host computer 32 Internet 35 Payment system 39 Message distribution device 40 CPU 42 ROM 44 RAM 46 Timer 48 Input device 50 Hard disk drive

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 17/60 326 G06F 17/60 326 (31) Priority claim number Japanese Patent Application No. 8-139689 (32) Priority Date May 10, 1996 (May 10, 1996) (33) Priority Country Japan (JP) (72) Inventor Nobuyuki Fujita 3-6-2 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Second Yagi Building 4F F-term in Hypernet Inc. (reference) 5B075 KK02 MM11 ND20 ND23 PR04 5B082 HA05 HA08

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A communication network, a terminal connected to the communication network, and a plurality of messages connected to the communication network and including any one of an image, a text, a voice, and a combination thereof to be transmitted to the terminal. A message database that stores message identification information identifying each of the plurality of messages in association with each other; a transmitting unit that reads the message from the message database and transmits the message to the terminal; Display means for displaying the message on the terminal, a user database connected to the communication network and storing the characteristics of each user of the terminal and user identification information for identifying the user in association with each other Receiving means for receiving the user identification information of the user of the terminal from the terminal via the communication network; A characteristic reading unit that reads the characteristic of the user from the user database using the user identification information received by the receiving unit; and a display unit that reads the characteristic read by the characteristic reading unit. A communication system comprising: a statistical recording unit that stores the message displayed on the terminal in association with the message identification information. 2. The statistic recording means, wherein when the user accesses the message transmitted to the terminal by the transmission means, the contents of the access are transmitted to the terminal by the transmission means. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising a unit configured to store the message in association with the message identification information for identifying the message. 3. The characteristic reading unit reads out the contents of the access by the characteristic reading unit when the user accesses the message transmitted to the terminal by the transmitting unit. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising: means for storing the information in association with the information. 4. A host computer connected to a terminal via a communication network, wherein the host computer is connected to the communication network and includes a plurality of images, texts, sounds, or a combination thereof transmitted to the terminal. A message database that stores a message and message identification information identifying each of the plurality of messages in association with each other; a transmission unit that reads the message from the message database and transmits the message to the terminal; and A user database that stores the characteristics of each user of the terminal and user identification information that identifies the user in association with each other; and, through the communication network, from the terminal to the user of the user of the terminal. Receiving means for receiving the user identification information; and the user using the user identification information received by the receiving means. A characteristic reading means for reading the said characteristic from said user database, to the message transmitted to the terminal by the transmission means, when there is access in the terminal,
A host computer comprising: a statistical recording unit that stores the characteristic read by the characteristic reading unit in association with the message identification information of the message transmitted to the terminal. 5. The statistics recording means, wherein when the user accesses the message transmitted to the terminal by the transmission means, the contents of the access are transmitted to the terminal by the transmission means. 5. The host computer according to claim 4, further comprising means for storing the message in association with the message identification information for identifying the message. 6. The characteristic reading unit reads out the contents of the access by the characteristic reading unit when the user accesses the message transmitted to the terminal by the transmitting unit. 5. The host computer according to claim 4, further comprising means for storing the information in association with the host.